The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Feeling the Fear (Rabbi Sacks on Vayishlach, Covenant & Conversation)
Dec 3, 2025
Dive into the themes of fear and courage with insights from Jacob's story. Explore his three responses to his brother Esau: gifts, prayer, and military prep. Discover the mystery of Jacob's nocturnal opponent and how this ties to other biblical figures. Rabbi Sacks discusses the fear of personal inadequacy that great leaders face and how true courage lies in acting despite that fear. The calling of the Jewish people to embrace greatness is emphasized, reminding us that fear shouldn't dictate our actions.
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Preparations Don't Remove Deep Fear
- Jacob's preparations (appeasement, prayer, war) still left him anxious, showing fear persisted despite action.
- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks links this to other biblical episodes where flight from mission is stopped by divine intervention.
Wrestling As A Type Scene
- Rashbam reads Jacob's night wrestling as a 'type scene' like Jonah and Moses, where flight from mission is halted.
- God (or an angel) intervenes to prevent them escaping responsibility.
Jonah's Flight Ends In Confrontation
- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks recounts Jonah fleeing to Tarshish and being swallowed by a fish as a moment of unavoidable confrontation.
- Jonah's experience illustrates that flight from mission becomes impossible when divine purpose intervenes.